Decorative Window Film Installation Instructions

Care and Cleaning of Window Films both adhesive and non-adhesive

Do Not use harsh ammonia products or abrasives to clean your window films.

A soft water dampened cloth is all you need.

Installation instructions for adhesive backed Privacy and Transparent Material and non-adhesive film

Do not apply window film in direct sunlight during the summer.

In winter and the temperatures are colder applying the film when the sun is on the window is ok since the sun’s intensity is less and the sun can warm the windows to a 40 degree temperature most times.

Window surface temperatures must be above 40 degrees

Do not rush window film installation. Take it slow and easy.

Tools Needed for Window Film Installation:

Scissors, Xacto knife or razor blade

Firm smooth edged squeegee or soft cloth

You can also use your hands to apply the decal, but you are more likely to get air bubbles.

Spray bottle of water kept handy to re-wet the window as needed

A drop or two of liquid dish soap can be added to the water but is not recommended since sometimes adding the soap can cause problems with the adhesive film not wanting to stick properly. Use discretion please.

Tips for Window Film Installation

A liberal amount of water should be used behind the film to make installation easier and help in removing air bubbles. Excess water will evaporate in time, generally 24-48 hours.

Window film installation may look imperfect until water fully evaporates. If installed properly no large air bubbles should remain. You may want to protect the window film surface with a piece of freezer paper or the backing paper when installing since when the window film is first received it will be more delicate until it has time to fully cure.

Removing as much of the water possible is very important especially when using the non-adhesive window film since too much water left behind the film may cause the non-adhesive window film to release from the window.

Unpack the film and allow the film to lay flat for 24 hours.

Step by Step Installation for Window Films

Clean your window with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, available pretty much everywhere and allow the window to dry. Stay away from ammonia and other harsh chemicals since this will damage the window film.

When installing on Plexiglass clean the glass well with denatured alcohol, not rubbing alcohol or soapy water and rinse. Denatured alcohol can be purchased anywhere they sell paint and associated products

Wash your hands

If you have any concerns about the installation it may be a good idea to have someone available to help you. A second pair of hands available never hurts.

Remove about 3″ to 12″ of backing paper by folding the liner down so it’s not in the way but still available to grab. You can also fully remove backing paper to install, whichever you feel more comfortable with.

Mist the clean window with water and also mist the adhesive back on the film as well. This will allow for easy repositioning and help remove large air bubbles.

For non-adhesive/static film just mist the window.

Re-mist window and film as needed.

Use a soft cloth or paper towel to soak up the excess water on the edges as you work.

If you are using a generous amount of water you may want to protect the face of the window film with freezer paper or the backing paper so you don’t get any scratches.

Position the film in window.

Squeegee down the exposed edge of the film starting from the center and working towards the edges. Brush from the center outward using overlapping 45 degree angled strokes.

Slowly remove the backing paper and squeegee the graphic into place using the same 45 degree angle technique as above applying to the window as you go.

Once film is installed squeegee the whole window and film again to remove as much of the water and air bubbles as possible, squeegee from the center out at a 45 degree angle

If you get an air bubble, you can either lift the decal enough to release the air, or if the bubbles are not too large, you can pop them with a pin and squeegee the bubble toward the pin hole to squeeze out the air.

Don’t worry if there are some small air bubbles when done, most times they are unnoticeable.